[Congressional Bills 104th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 102 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]

        H.Con. Res.102
                                                 Agreed to June 26, 1996

                       One Hundred Fourth Congress

                                 of the

                        United States of America


                          AT THE SECOND SESSION

         Begun and held at the City of Washington on Wednesday,
   the third day of January, one thousand nine hundred and ninety-six


                          Concurrent Resolution


 
      Concerning the emancipation of the Iranian Baha'i community.

Whereas in 1982, 1984, 1988, 1990, 1992, and 1994 the Congress, by 
  concurrent resolution, declared that it holds the Government of Iran 
  responsible for upholding the rights of all its nationals, including 
  members of the Baha'i Faith, Iran's largest religious minority;
Whereas the Congress has deplored the Government of Iran's religious 
  persecution of the Baha'i community in such resolutions and in 
  numerous other appeals, and has condemned Iran's execution of more 
  than 200 Baha'is and the imprisonment of thousands of others solely 
  on account of their religious beliefs;
Whereas the Government of Iran continues to deny individual Baha'is 
  access to higher education and government employment and denies 
  recognition and religious rights to the Baha'i community, according 
  to the policy set forth in a confidential Iranian Government document 
  which was revealed by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights 
  in 1993;
Whereas all Baha'i community properties in Iran have been confiscated 
  by the government and Iranian Baha'is are not permitted to elect 
  their leaders, organize as a community, operate religious schools or 
  conduct other religious community activities guaranteed by the 
  Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and
Whereas on February 22, 1993, the United Nations Commission on Human 
  Rights published a formerly confidential Iranian Government document 
  that constitutes a blueprint for the destruction of the Baha'i 
  community and reveals that these repressive actions are the result of 
  a deliberate policy designed and approved by the highest officials of 
  the Government of Iran: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That the Congress--
        (1) continues to hold the Government of Iran responsible for 
    upholding the rights of all its nationals, including members of the 
    Baha'i community, in a manner consistent with Iran's obligations 
    under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other 
    international agreements guaranteeing the civil and political 
    rights of its citizens;
        (2) condemns the repressive anti-Baha'i policies and actions of 
    the Government of Iran, including the denial of legal recognition 
    to the Baha'i community and the basic rights to organize, elect its 
    leaders, educate its youth, and conduct the normal activities of a 
    law-abiding religious community;
        (3) expresses concern that individual Baha'is continue to 
    suffer from severely repressive and discriminatory government 
    actions, solely on account of their religion;
        (4) urges the Government of Iran to extend to the Baha'i 
    community the rights guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of 
    Human Rights and the international covenants of human rights, 
    including the freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, and 
    equal protection of the law; and
        (5) calls upon the President to continue--
            (A) to assert the United States Government's concern 
        regarding Iran's violations of the rights of its citizens, 
        including members of the Baha'i community, along with 
        expressions of its concern regarding the Iranian Government's 
        support for international terrorism and its efforts to acquire 
        weapons of mass destruction;
            (B) to emphasize that the United States regards the human 
        rights practices of the Government of Iran, particularly its 
        treatment of the Baha'i community and other religious 
        minorities, as a significant factor in the development of the 
        United States Government's relations with the Government of 
        Iran;
            (C) to urge the Government of Iran to emancipate the Baha'i 
        community by granting those rights guaranteed by the Universal 
        Declaration of Human Rights and the international covenants on 
        human rights; and
            (D) to encourage other governments to continue to appeal to 
        the Government of Iran, and to cooperate with other governments 
        and international organizations, including the United Nations 
        and its agencies, in efforts to protect the religious rights of 
        the Baha'is and other minorities through joint appeals to the 
        Government of Iran and through other appropriate actions.
Attest:

                                 Clerk of the House of Representatives.

Attest:

                                               Secretary of the Senate.